Here’s what’s new in Social Media this week:

Twitter Cutbacks

So you think it’s hard to fit your thoughts into 140 characters? How about 117? Twitter has recently revamped its t.co link wrapper, which will extend the length of wrapped links from 20 to 22 characters – meaning that your commentary on the link will have to be shortened.

Now for what you’re really wondering – how will this change affect your Twitter presence? Probably not very much. Two characters may seem like a lot, but after all it’s only for Tweets that include links. Plus, this is only for those who use Twitter’s t.co shortener. Other link shortening sites like Bit.ly.com seem, at least for now, unaffected.

The Future of Social Media

By now you have probably seen the instantaneously-viral video for the new Google Glass.  Now, you may think that this is science fiction – it certainly seems that way.  Glasses that take pictures and video, with tiny eye-screens that display anything from Google searches to map directions?  That’s definitely something out of Star Trek.

While it may seem far-fetched, there are many ways that the Google Glass could potentially put the “social” back in social media. The Glass is shown to have a built-in function that allows users to video-chat with groups of friends who will be able to see what the user himself is seeing.  It also has a built-in translation feature, meaning that you could potentially have a conversation face-to-face, in real time, with someone who speaks a different language.  Will this change the way that humans interact? Is it making us more or less of a cyborg? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

P.S. If you have $1,500 handy and just can’t wait for these gadgets to go on the market, Google is now accepting applications for Beta Testers, or, as they call them, “Glass Explorers.”

Social Media Week

You may not have known this, but social media has its very own week. Since its inception in 2009, Social Media Week has grown to become a bi-annual conference with events taking place worldwide. With conferences on topics ranging from the importance of social media in charity work to “How to be funny in 140 characters or less,” there’s definitely something for everyone.

Check and see if there’s an event taking place in a city near you, or follow on Twitter or Facebook for up-to-the-minute coverage and great social media information!